A reply to an answer made of M. Doctor Whitgifte Against the admonition to…A replye to an ansvvere made of M. Doctor VVhitgifte Against the admonition to…

Then were there archbishops of whole provinces / which was the third stair unto the seat of antichrist. Afterwards they were Patriarchs of one of the .iiij. corners of the whole world / the whole church being assigned to the jurisdiction of four / that is to say of the Romaine / Constantinopolitane / Antiochene / and Alexandrine bishops. And these four stairs being laid of Satan / there was but an easy stride for the B. of Rome / into that chair of pestilence / wherein he now sitteth. Having now showed how this Lordly estate of the bishop began / and upon what a rotten ground it is builded / I come to show how far the bishops in our time are / for their pomp and outward stateliness / degenerated from the bishops of elder times.

Then were there archbishops of whole prouinces / whych was the third stayer vnto the seat of antichriste. Afterwards they were Patriarks of one of the .iiij. corners of the whole world / the whole church being assigned to the iurisdiction of fower / that is to saye of the Romaine / Constantinopolitane / Antiochene / and Alexandrine byshops. And these fower stayers being layd of Sathan / there was but an easy stride for the B. of Rome / into that chaire of pestilence / wherin he nowe sitteth. Hauing now showed howe thys Lordly estate of the byshop began / and vpon what a rotten ground it is builded / I come to shew how farre the byshops in our time are / for their pompe and outward statelines / degenerated from the byshops of elder times.

And here I call to remembrance / that which was spoken of the poor estate of Basil and Theodorete: and if M. Doctor will say (as he doth in deed in a certain place) that then was a time of persecution / and this is a time of peace: it is easily answered / that although Basil were under persecution / yet Theodorete lived under good emperors. But that shall appear better by the Canons / which were rules given for the bishops to frame them selves by.

And heere I call to remembraunce / that whych was spoken of the poore estate of Basile and Theodorete: and if M. Doctor will say (as he doth in deede in a certaine place) that thē was a time of persecution / and this is a time of peace: it is easely answeared / that although Basill were vnder persecution / yet Theodorete liued vnder good emperors. But that shall appeare better by the Canons / whych were rules geuen for the byshops to frame them selues by.